[2025 Daming Attraction] Travel Guide for Song Dynasty Damingfu City Ruins (Updated Apr)

"The Water Margin is known throughout the world, and everyone knows Daming Prefecture." It is also a bustling city that frequently appears in the Water Margin! 1. Daming Prefecture Ancient City: 🎈 Located in Daming County, Handan City, Hebei Province, its history can be traced back to the Warring States Period and it has gone through many dynasties. It was once a foil to the Northern Song Dynasty and was known as "Beijing" in history. 2. Stone Carving Museum 🎈 There are more than 200 stone carvings, including the largest ancient stele in China, the "Five Rites Stele," which is the treasure of the museum and has considerable historical and artistic value. Opening hours: 9:00–17:00, free admission, closed on Mondays Lighting time (Hongjing Building): 19:00, 20:00, 21:00 3. Church of the Mother of Love 🎈 Located on Dong Street, Daming County, Handan City, it was built in 1918 and is the second largest Catholic church in China. It is a Gothic building with a bell tower and a chapel. The bell tower is 46 meters high, and each of the three sides of the tower is inlaid with a large clock with a diameter of 1.42 meters. Visiting hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9:00–11:00, 14:30–17:00 Saturday, 9:00–14:30 Sunday, 13:00–14:30, Not open to the public when ceremonies or events are held 4. Daming Museum 🎈 Located on the south side of the west section of Tianxiong Road, Daming County, Handan City, it consists of the Daming History and Culture Hall, the Tang and Song Famous City Hall, and the Ming and Qing Daming Hall. It introduces the 7,000-year civilization history of Daming, the 3,000-year architectural history, and the 2,000-year history of the county. It exhibits cultural relics from the Neolithic period to the Ming Dynasty, such as blue and white bowls. 🎟 Ticket information: Free Opening hours: 9:00–17:00, closed on Mondays Ming City Wall—600 years of enduring prosperity Open all day for free 🚌 Transportation: National Day direct bus or taxi, self-driving 🏠 Accommodation: Choose a hotel near the city center of Daming County, near Daming Prefecture, or near Daming Prefecture Bus Station 🍪 Food recommendations: Ermao roast chicken, Wubai sausage, Guoba baked cake, Huicun meat pie...

This is not Xi'an, this is Handan Daming! ! ! Welcome to Damingfu, Handan, Hebei, China! ! Share a guide to visit Daming County, Hebei Province, follow it and avoid pitfalls (with introduction) Damingfu Ancient City "The Water Margin is known to the world, and everyone knows Damingfu." As a famous "Wulu City" in history, it can be said to have a long history and splendid culture. Daming Prefecture, the former seat of government is located in the northeast of Daming County, Handan City, Hebei Province. "Lucheng" in the Spring and Autumn Period was changed to Daming Prefecture in the Later Han Dynasty. It was built as a secondary capital in the Song Dynasty. It was mentioned many times in "Water Margin". It was still Daming Prefecture in the Ming Dynasty and was the first capital of Zhili Province in the Qing Dynasty. Our Lady of Grace Cathedral Daming Catholic Church, also known as the "Our Lady of Grace Cathedral", is a Gothic building with a history of nearly 100 years, which was built in the Republic of China. It was built by the French Catholic Church using the Boxer Indemnity. The architectural design of the church combines Chinese and Western cultural elements. Its unique bell tower and chapel integrated architectural style demonstrates exquisite architectural art. Damingfu Cultural District The Damingfu Song Dynasty Cultural District is built on the ruins of the ancient city of "Beijing Damingfu" in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is located on the Congfeng Line of Daming County and is about 800 meters long. The cultural district consists of old buildings, the Damingfu Ancient City Ruins Museum (which was once flooded), the Stone Carving Museum, the Grand Canal Museum, performances, characteristic homestays and other business formats. Stone Carving Museum The museum is themed on stone carving art. Its main buildings include the Five Rites Stele Pavilion, Hongjing Pavilion, Stele Gallery, Changleyuan, Wangjing Pavilion, etc. It has rich collections. The Five Rites Stele is the largest stone stele in China. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00, closed on Monday, Hongjing Pavilion lights on at 19:00, 20:00 and 21:00. The Imperial Five Rites Stele Tower This stele tower is known as the "No. 1 stele in the world" for its grand scale and historical value. It is the largest ancient stone stele known in China. Its construction began in the Tang Dynasty and later became the work of Emperor Huizong of Song. Because the inscription on the stele is "New Rituals of the Five Rites" written by Emperor Huizong of Song Dynasty, it is also called the Imperial Stele of the Five Rites of the Grand View. There are characters by Tang calligrapher Liu Gongquan on both sides of the stele. 【Transportation & Accommodation Transportation: Daming County will provide free direct bus service for tourists from other places from September 17 to October 7. There are direct buses to Daming from Handan Airport and Handan High-speed Railway East Station every day. You can choose direct bus or taxi. Accommodation: It is recommended to choose a hotel in the center of Daming County, near Daming Prefecture or near Daming Bus Station. 【Daming traditional food】 Ermao roast chicken, Wubaiju sausage, Guoba fire cake, halal steamed buns, halal mutton cakes, sesame charred cakes, bean paste, wedding fruit, noodles, Luohan tripe, halal eight bowls, chicken nest biscuits, tofu skin roll dumplings, halal siu mai, stewed bones, tofu shreds, ganzi steamed buns, sand fried peanuts, deaf old Yang braised beef, sticky steamed buns, pig's trotters, fried cakes

The novel "Water Margin" made the famous Daming Mansion in Hebei known to the world. It is located in the northeast of Daming County, Handan City, Hebei Province, with a long history and profound cultural heritage. Its city gate is towering, the city wall is solid, and it is well preserved. The main attractions include the Catholic Church, the Song Dynasty Cultural District, the Stone Carving Museum, etc., with a variety of cultural and creative products and snacks. In September this year, a comprehensive renovation is underway to welcome the arrival of National Day. In October, a brand new look will be presented to everyone. The scenic area is free, and there is a parking lot at the door.